In this guide: the best flat irons for curly hair. You’ll need a high-quality flat iron if you want to turn your natural curls into straight, smooth locks. Flat irons with long plates can speed up the process and minimize frizz. While ceramic flat irons are less likely to damage curly hair, there are other types of straighteners that can still give you fantastic results.
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In a hurry? Our top 3 picks
| Image | Title | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Top | BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron , 2 inches | Buy on Amazon | |
 | HSI Professional Glider | Ceramic Tourmaline Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener | Straightens | Buy on Amazon | |
 | NITION Professional Salon Hair Straightener Argan Oil Tourmaline Ceramic Titanium Straightening Flat Iron | Buy on Amazon |
1. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Straightening Iron – Our Top Choice
Highlights
This salon-quality flat iron combines a ceramic heater with titanium plates capable of making even the curliest hair look smooth and sleek. It can instantly reach temperatures up to 450 degrees, allowing you to style your hair in no time. It also uses digital ionic technology to prevent frizz and heat damage.
Features
- Ceramic heater provides instant heat
- Emits negative ions to prevent frizz
- LED temperature settings up to 450 degrees
What We Like About It
It’s an efficient and easy-to-use flat iron that can straighten curly hair without causing frizz or heat damage.
What We Don’t Like About It
The high price tag keeps this flat iron from being budget-friendly.
2. HSI Professional Glider
Highlights
Thanks to its eight micro-sensors, this salon-quality straightener can evenly distribute heat throughout your hair. Its tourmaline-infused ceramic plates allow water molecules to penetrate the hair shaft, straightening your curls while avoiding static and frizz. The flat iron also has a wide temperature range of 140°F to 450°F, allowing you to find the ideal temperature for your curly hair.
Features
- Micro-sensors prevent heat damage
- Adjustable temperature settings for every hair type
- Worldwide dual voltage settings make this flat iron travel-friendly
What We Like About It
This is a durable and portable flat iron that’s able to straighten curls without leaving hair frizzy or fried.
What We Don’t Like About It
The plates need to be squeezed together tightly to properly straighten your hair.
3. NITION Platinum Professional Styler
Highlights
The plates on this flat iron are coated with ceramic, tourmaline, argan oil, nanosilver, and titanium. All of these elements help to lock in natural moisture, preventing frizz, splitting, and heat damage. It also features a 3D flexible floating heating plate that prevents snagging and allows the flat iron to glide smoothly through your curls.
Features
- Extra-long 4.1″ heating plates
- Six temperature settings, with temperatures up to 450 degrees
- Auto temperature calibration helps you find the right temperature for your hair
What We Like About It
Thanks to the long-coated heated plates, this flat iron can effectively straighten hair while causing minimal damage.
What We Don’t Like About It
The round shape of this flat iron can cause it to roll off counters and other flat surfaces.
4. Hot Tools Ionic Salon Flat Iron
Highlights
With this flat iron from Hot Tools, you can create salon-quality looks in the comfort of your own home. It has ceramic and titanium coated plates that are designed to minimize friction and prevent frizz. The straightener is also equipped with an advanced ion generator that will leave your hair silky and shiny.
Features
- Rounded edges leave hair extra smooth
- Easy-to-read LED temperature display
- Variable heat settings up to 455 degrees
What We Like About It
It’s a premium-quality flat iron that’s designed to maximize shine.
What We Don’t Like About It
The power button is inside the straightener, which makes it tricky to turn it on and off.
5. T3 Micro Lucea Professional Straightening Iron
Highlights
This state-of-the-art flat iron is engineered with a smart microchip that detects and corrects any fluctuations in temperature. Some stylists have named it the best flat iron for curly hair thanks to its high-quality ceramic floating plates. It heats up quickly and even remembers your temperature settings, allowing you to quickly style your hair each day.
Features
- Ceramic plates help protect curly hair from heat damage
- 9 heat settings
- Smart microchip evenly distributes heat
What We Like About It
It’s an easy-to-use and efficient flat iron that delivers amazing results every time.
What We Don’t Like About It
The high price tag makes this product a definite splurge.
6. Vanessa Titanium Flat Iron
Highlights
Many budget flat irons have titanium or ceramic coated plates, but this flat iron has plates that are 100% titanium. It also has incredibly long 5″ plates, allowing for faster straightening and better results. Thanks to its ergonomic design, it’s easy to hold and comfortable to use.
Features
- 100% titanium plates
- Ionic PTC heat technology helps lock in moisture
- Temperature range of 265 to 450 degrees
What We Like About It
Even though it has an affordable price tag, it’s equipped with features you’ll find on premium flat irons.
What We Don’t Like About It
It can take a while for the flat iron to fully heat up.
7. Revlon Essentials Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
Since this flat iron has wide 2″ plates, it can heal large chunks of hair at once. The ceramic coating on the plates allows for even heat distribution and provides a smooth, easy glide. It heats all the way up to 400 degrees, which means it gets hot enough to straighten tight curls.
Features
- Ceramic-coated 2″ plates
- Tangle-free swivel cord
What We Like About It
It’s an affordable flat iron that can straighten curly hair very quickly.
What We Don’t Like About It
Since there are limited temperature settings, users can’t choose the temperature that they prefer.
8. ghd Gold Styler
Highlights
Fluctuating temperatures can make it tricky to straighten curly hair, but this flat iron is equipped with sensors that keep it at the optimum styling temperature. It also has 100% ceramic plates that will leave locks looking smooth and shiny. Since the straightener has a round design, it’s easy to use and comfortable to hold.
Features
- Dual-zone heat monitoring technology
- 100% ceramic plates
- Comes with a luxury case that’s perfect for travel
What We Like About It
It’s a professional-quality straightener that can straighten curly hair without creating frizz.
What We Don’t Like About It
Since it’s designed to maintain a 365-degree temperature at all times, it has no temperature settings.
9. Croc Classic Silver Titanium Flat Iron
Highlights
This salon-quality flat iron is equipped with silver titanium plates that protect your hair as it’s being styled. It’s a fast-heating straightener that can style hair quickly without creating frizz. With temperatures from 280 to 450 degrees, you can find the ideal temperature range for your hair.
Features
- Fully digital
- Silver titanium plates
- Internal thermostat keeps the flat iron at the perfect temperature
What We Like About It
The silver titanium plates help prevent snagging and frizz while you’re styling your hair.
What We Don’t Like About It
The grip handle can be uncomfortable to hold for long chunks of time.
10. Hot Tools Pro Signature Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
This unique flat iron is equipped with multidirectional floating plates that can reach every last strand of hair you’re styling. Since the plates are ceramic coated, heat is distributed evenly with minimal frizz. It has custom heat settings up to 440 degrees, giving you the chance to find the perfect temperature for styling your hair.
Features
- Multi-directional floating plates
- Wide ceramic plates allow for fast styling
- Ergonomic design
What We Like About It
Thanks to the wide, multi-directional plates, you can straighten your hair in no time.
What We Don’t Like About It
The ceramic-coated plates can become less effective over time.
11. CHI Classic Tourmaline Ceramic Hairstyling Iron
Highlights
Static electricity can be a problem when you’re straightening curly hair, but thanks to the Far Infrared technology this flat iron uses, you can get amazing styles in no time. The ceramic plates produce negative irons, preventing frizz and increasing shine. It can reach temperatures up to 410 degrees and heats up in just 30 seconds.
Features
- Floating plates provide a better grip
- Tourmaline ceramic plates help prevent frizz and static
- Heats up in 30 seconds
What We Like About It
This is an incredibly effective flat iron that can handle thick and curly hair with ease.
What We Don’t Like About It
The cord is very short, which can make styling tricky.
12. Terviiix Golden Standard Styler
Highlights
The heat from flat irons can be very damaging to curly hair, but this straightener is designed to minimize frizz and heat damage. It has plates coated with keratin, argan oil, and tourmaline, nourishing the hair and protecting it at the same time. It’s also equipped with floating plates that help prevent snagging.
Features
- Heats up in 15 seconds
- Five temperature settings from 320 to 450 degrees
- Intelligent control heating system ensures that heat is evenly distributed
What We Like About It
This lightweight, fast-heating flat iron makes straightening curly hair easy.
What We Don’t Like About It
It’s easy to hit the on/off switch while you’re using the straightener.
13. L’Oreal Professionnel Steampod
Highlights
If you’ve gotten mixed or bad results from other flat irons in the past, this uniquely designed straightener might be the perfect product for you. It uses steam technology to straighten hair, leaving it frizz-free for up to 48 hours. The flat iron also has a built-in comb that can work through tangles while you style your hair.
Features
- Uses steam technology to leave hair straight, smooth, and shiny
- High-resistance floating plates provide even pressure while styling
- Three heat settings from 350 to 450 degrees
What We Like About It
This unusual straightener is a fantastic option for hair types that are hard to style.
What We Don’t Like About It
The high price point will put this out of many people’s budgets/
14. Gold N Hot Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
It’s easy to work with the long, wide plates on this flat iron. Since the plates are ceramic coated, they also emit reflective ions that can help revitalize hair. It’s equipped with adjustable temperature settings and can get up to 450 degrees, making it hot enough to straighten very curly hair.
Features
- Ceramic coated plates
- Adjustable temperature settings
What We Like About It
This is an affordably-priced flat iron that’s both efficient and easy to use.
What We Don’t Like About It
Since the plates are ceramic coated, they’ll become less effective over time.
15. Skin Research Institute Infrarose Styler
Highlights
Heat can be harsh on hair, especially when you’re using it all the time. That’s why this straightener uses an infrared technology strip that heats hair from the inside, minimizing damage. The tourmaline and ceramic plates also produce negative ions that lock in moisture and prevent frizz.
Features
- Uses infrared heat for minimal damage
- Tourmaline and ceramic plates
- Heats up in just 30 seconds
What We Like About It
Thanks to the infrared heat that this flat iron uses, you can straighten your hair while avoiding damage.
What We Don’t Like About It
It’s easy to accidentally change the temperature settings while you’re styling your hair.
16. Conair Infinitipro Flat Iron
Highlights
This budget-friendly Conair straightener is equipped with floating, ceramic-coated plates that can minimize frizz and maximize shine. It has five heat settings and can fully heat up in as little as 15 seconds. With a max temperature of 455 degrees, it’s powerful enough to straighten curly hair in a single pass.
Features
- Ultra-high 455-degree heat
- Ceramic-coated floating plates
- Five heat settings
What We Like About It
The high temperatures and wide plates allow for fast and easy straightening.
What We Don’t Like About It
The ceramic coating starts to wear off fairly quickly.
17. Paul Mitchell Pro Tools Smooth+ Flat Iron
Highlights
When you look at this straightener, the first thing you’ll notice is its long, wide ceramic plates. The flat iron produces super-charged negative ions as it’s used, preventing frizz and leaving hair silky and smooth. It can heat all the way up to 410 degrees in as little as 60 seconds.
Features
- Durable ceramic plates
- Digital temperature display
- Automatic shut-off
What We Like About It
It’s an effective straightener that can make curly hair incredibly smooth.
What We Don’t Like About It
You need to grip it tightly to get the plates to close.
18. Bcway Professional Hair Straightener
Highlights
This inexpensive, high-quality hair iron can smooth and style curly hair without creating frizz or causing damage. The plates are ultra-wide, coated in titanium, and have a 3D floating design. Best of all, it heats up in just 30 seconds, so you can start styling your hair immediately.
Features
- Five temperature settings
- Haircare mode can smooth hair with minimal heat
- Extra long cord
What We Like About It
It’s an affordable and effective straightener that delivers great value for the price.
What We Don’t Like About It
19. BaBylissPRO Porcelain Ceramic Straightening Iron
Highlights
Because this iron relies on far-infrared heat, it’s able to smooth curly hair without causing damage. It’s equipped with long porcelain ceramic plates that can make your hair shine. You can turn the temperature all the way up to 450 degrees with the Rheostat temperature dial.
Features
- Long plates for faster straightening
- Durable porcelain ceramic plates
- Adjustable temperature settings
What We Like About It
The premium-quality plates on this straighter are built to last.
What We Don’t Like About It
It’s less effective than the Nano flat iron from BaByliss.
20. Remington S9500 Pearl Ceramic Flat Iron
Highlights
The plates on this flat iron are ceramic coated and infused with fresh pearl, allowing you to straighten curly hair in a single pass. It has nine heat settings and can reach temperatures as high as 450 degrees, which means it can tame curls that are normally difficult to style.
Features
- Floating plates for smooth styling
- Heats up in just 15 seconds
- Digital temperature display
What We Like About It
This is a fast and efficient flat iron that can straighten hair in just one pass.
What We Don’t Like About It
The coating will eventually start to come off the plates if it’s used regularly.
21. MHU Keratin Ion Straightener
Highlights
This versatile flat iron has 10 different heat settings, with a max temperature of 450 degrees. It’s able to smooth out hair and leave it shiny and frizz-free thanks to its 3D ceramic plates. Since it clamps down on hair tightly, it can straighten your hair quickly without any snags.
Features
- Heats up in just 30 seconds
- 10 easy-to-adjust temperature settings
- Temperature memory feature
What We Like About It
Since there are so many temperature settings, it can straighten both fine and thick curls perfectly.
What We Don’t Like About It
The buttons are inside the flat iron, which means you could easily burn your hands if you’re not wearing gloves.
Things to Consider When Buying A Flat Iron For Curly Hair
When you have curly hair, you need a straightener that can do more than smooth your locks. You need a flat iron that can change your hair’s texture and give you lasting results.
These are a few things to keep in mind when picking out an iron:
Temperature Settings
You’ll need temperatures of at least 350 degrees to straighten curly hair. Your hair is more likely to respond to the iron when the temperatures are high.
Frizz
Straightening your hair can dry it out, leaving you with lots of frizz. You can minimize this by choosing an iron with ceramic or titanium plates.
Price
Your budget is likely to have a major factor in your final decision. Flat irons can cost anywhere from $20 to $250, which means there are options for every price point.
Plate Size
Long and wide plates are best for straightening curls. Look for a flat iron with a plate size of 1″ or higher.
Do Flat Irons Damage Curly Hair?
Flat irons can be very damaging to your curls, especially if you choose the wrong straightener or use your iron incorrectly. It’s best to choose an iron with ceramic or titanium plates that can protect your hair from excess heat.
Damage is much more likely to occur if you try straightening your hair while it’s wet or even damp.
Flat irons heat to very high temperatures, and when you apply these temperatures to wet hair, you can seriously damage your hair cuticles. Comb out any tangles, let your hair air dry, and then use a straightener.
You can also reduce damage by applying a heat protectant product to your hair while it’s still damp. Your hair will absorb the product, allowing it to form a protective barrier over every strand of hair.
Lastly, you should make sure you don’t straighten your hair every day. Curly hair is usually dry and porous, which means it doesn’t always have to be washed every day.
If you think your hair is looking a little oil, use a dry shampoo to get rid of oil without washing your hair.
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